What colour should your hair be?

I was checking out Beverleys blog and she had a quiz on there of what colour should your hair be? So I went and took it, now I have to laugh at the results becuase I have dyed my hair in the past and when I did I went as close to a purple colour that I could get to without actually going purple.... now Ive thought about going the whole hog and dying it purple over the summer but decided I should behave and have my natural colour hair, why? I havent a clue! I suppose because I think I should act grown up and not like a spotty teenage punk any more? hmm perhaps.. but anyways heres my results. :)

Your Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional. You're always philosophizing and inspiring others with your insights.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

I just went and did another test, because I can. hahah they are slightly addictive..... I will stop now and go brush my should be purple hair. :)

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

What's Your Personality Type?

Socks and Hats and OH MY!

Finally I took pictures of my socks yesterday to post. While I was at it I took pictures of the hat that I created and finished. I messed up the first time as it was a couple inches to short so I tried to take the bottom rib out and then knit from there, but I messed it up BADLY and instead had to rip out from the top and start all over. Still took about the same amount of time. 1.5 days. Well actually it took more, but that was due to having a cold (again!) and no actually doing much knitting. On Wendnesday I ended up sleeping most of the day. Thursday thats all I wanted to do was sleep all day again but some how managed to stay up. Poor Mark had me snoring in very LOUDLY in his ear when I was sleeping on my right side so he tried to be nice and asked me to roll over on my left where for some reason I didnt seem to snore, or if I did it werent really all the loud and was toloerable. Then came the coughing. Now keep in mind Marks not felt good for the past month himself.... So once I started coughing I could see him whincing in pain and he kept asking me to take something for my cough becuase it was so how did he put it? oh yeah "aggresive" so I was jumping up and down from bed the last couple of days and running to another room to cough... he never asked me to do that, its just what I did...

Im not knitting anything at the moment. I am instead reading a book. Truth be told I got some wool out front Im just not sure what to do with it yet. I know two balls are going to be a pair of socks... I have yet to figure out which socks but I will fear not! :)

I know you only came to see the pictures and not read a load of rubbish.. so heres those pictures! :)

See my little diamonds?? :D These were knitin Rowan 4 ply cotton on 2.75mm needles. I got the patternish wrote down as what I did. Toe up socks. Basic help from knitty.com very happy with them!! :) Short row heels as well...

Just another view of them from the side, showing the heels, and the underfoot... they look a bit slouchy there, I know, but really they arent, they are a great fit, I have yet to wear them out for the day, but I am sure when I do they will be fine. :)

And a close upish of the pattern on the socks themselves. :) (and a slightly larger foto eeks...)

Now enough about the socks, lets get on to my hat!! And yep, I wrote down what I did for this lil guy as well, okay its more of a beanie then a hat but there you go. :) Was knit using Cascade 220 on 4mm needles. I will eventually take pictures of me wearing this thing but at the moment no camera is coming near my head... not when I look like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and have a very dry flakey nose.... no no no.....

Its got a 2x2 rib on the edge and then mirrored cables going around with a purl 4 ridge between each cable. I was trying to find something to suit Mark and in the end had given up seen the mirrored cabled look in my stitch guide and just went yeah Ill do that worked out the maths casted on and went a knitting.... I like my end product. Mark wont wear one like this, so he will get a store bought hat, and to be fair, he probably would have endedup with on anyways after he lost the hate I could have knit for him if I could have found something he liked.... Men are fussy... regardless what they say!

a quickie

I finally took pictures of my finished socks, and I have finished my hat and took pictures (not of me wearing the hat though!) hopefully I will get them posted soon! I just wanted to update and let everyone know that they are done and taken...
Now I am off to go cough and annoy my sweetie because I got a cold AGAIN! ARG! take care!

3 times lucky?

Okay Im sorry still no pictures of my socks, I swear they are finished, and I swear they are still sitting on the front couch. I just need to run to town and pick up some sort of nylon like thread to sew into them before I model them. Why you ask? Because I knit them in 100% cotton and Im not going to stretch them out of shape until I have something in them that will hopefully hold them into shape! :)
I have decided pretty much Mark aint getting a winter hat knitted for him. He said he doesnt want a plain one, but then when I make test squares he says they are too "poofy"! So instead I have figured out a look that I LIKE and am going to knit the hat for myself I told him if he likes it Ill knit him the same one and we can have matching hats. I laughed with delight he looked at me scared... I dont think hes going to go for it! HAHAHAHA So last night while I was trying to figure it all out and thought I had I was wrong. But after today of recasting on for the third time I should have it right. :) Now once I get done with the casting on and knitting straight in the round for a couple of inches Im not sure what to do for shaping, Ill figure it as I go, rip a couple more times and in the end have a kickarsed hat! :)
I havent done much knitting since I finished the socks, but I did read Jodi Picoult The Perfect Match, sad book but ever so good. I think shes an excellent writer because she makes you feel like you are right in there with the characters so I love reading her books....
Now Im off to go do the things I gotta do.....

Feeling kinda geeky!

Im not alway serious I swear! HAHA But I do hate taking pictures of myself, so this is my "I feel like a really big dork pose"... But look its my finished sweater!! :)

This is my "I am finding this highly amusing now pose"... But this is only another shot of the sweater this time with the arms properly pulled down. I just finished the dishes as well...

Top down vneck raglan. Plain stocking stitch. Took about 2 week and a little over 7 50g balls of Artesan Alpaca. I love the feel of this sweater, its my fav now I think! :) I have 2 and a bit balls left becuase I got 10 thinking I would need them all. Im not sure yet what to make with them but Illmake something.

I also finished my purple socks. I havent taken pics of them yet so Im going to make you all wait for those. I just finished them this morning!

Getting to know you... getting to know all about you...

One of the Secret Pal hostess, Jody of Javajem challenged us to answer the following simple questions in a task of getting to know more about us... so heres mine. :)

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?
If Im home alone its on the couch in the front room in front of the big bay window, lots of light that way and Im watching the telly. If Marks home from work its on the bed with my little light on nad knitting away while talking to him or watching telly with him.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?
I would read and read. I love to read. :) Id probably find some other craft to go mad over like sewing....

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?
Well I made my trip to England becuase I live there now. :) I grew up in the states so its not there, I spent two years in Canada, so its not there either..... I know, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Japan, or Australia! :) I would love to visit all of those places because each one holds interest to me for their own reasons...

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?
I always wanted to be a doctor! No Im not doing that now, in fact Im a stay at home gf. :) I suppose one day when I get an actual job it would be after going back to school for nursing, I may be 60 before that happens but I will do it one day. :)

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Cookie Dough!!! YUMMIE!!! Or if I cant find any, plain vanilla, I know boring but I love it....

Pictures finally!!!

I HATE having to take pictures of myself. I feel like a complete and utter idiot! With that being said when I took these it was due to wanting to start the sleeves and Mark wasnt home from work. But this is my sweater! :) Well that WAS my sweater before I added a neck line and sleeves.... I havent washed it yet so theres no finished pictures. But this is what I have so far of my sweater. :) Isnt it pretty, Im ever so excited that I can look like a complete prep and all to my own doing!

Here are the start of my toe up own design socks! :) I was going to do a lace motif style on them. But I decided I rather liked the diamond look to them and thats what I have done. I took these the other day so I do have a bit more knit then this and I am nearly ready to knit the heels. I am working both at the same time as you can see! :)

Heres is the toe of the sock, this is the purled wrap overs, and I find they are neat on both the outside and the inside... and that leads me nicely to the following....

This is the knit side of wrap overs. The last I think it was two I did the knit two together through the back of the loops and I should have done that from the start, even though it doesnt say to, it just makes a neater edge on both the inside and the outside.

I got the generic toe up pattern off of www.knitty.com They also say to use a crochet cast on, I am RUBBISH as them, so I just did a backwards loop cast on over a bit of string on the needle and that held my loops so I do have a visible seam under the toes, but Ive put these socks on to try and make sure they are fitting nicely (and they are!) and so far I have no issues because the seam is sitting nicely in a spot that doesnt bother. :) not to mention on the inside there isnt a large thick seam to bother me anyways. :)

Now there are the pictures and the update, as you can see Mark installed photoshop for me so that I can at least resize and edit my photos, woo hoo! :)

Finished and Started

Oh yeah I rock, I finished my sweater on Thursday morning. Really I could have finished it on Wednesday night but it got to dark and so I stopped knitting and decided to hold the 9 rows off until Thursday. :) So ITS FINISHED!!! I just have hand wash it and let it dry then take pictures I will do that eventually....
I started my toe up on two circular needles. WOO HOO They are going great! Last night (Thursday) I started on them and finished the toe bit. This morning I picked up the bottom edge of the toe and have started knitting in the round for the foot, got 2 pattern repeats done. Just doing a small purled diamond motif thingy on them. They look good so far! And working them both atthe same time on two cirs is pretty simple, thought it would be slightly confusing but its not. Only part the was confusing was picking up the stitches and instead of doing it at the same time I did them one by one and had them backwards on the needle so I pulled the needle out and turned it the right way and quickly picked up the stitches before I lost them! :)
Hopefully be showing pictures of everything soon, Ill have to sort out something on this computer so that I can resize me fotos....

Knitting, eating, and drinking

Well I thought I would be posting today to say that I finished the sleeve, but I am not!
Monday some stuff went on that was rather upsetting and worrying that I got not a single stitch knitted. Thankfully everything is going to be alright and that makes me happy!
Yesterday normalish knitting service resumed. There were still things that needed to be done but I did knit and got a nice chunk done I suppose the sleeve will be finished no later then Friday night and I can sort out the socks I want to make as well as figure out how I would love my hat to look. Anna you gave a good idea of cables Im just not entirely sure Mark would go for that. Hes ever so picky but the guy is at least getting it in black as that will hopefully stay the cleanest when hes working.
On Monday before everything went pear shapped I went into town and I was rather excited because I found me some Kraft Mac&Cheese, okay so its the slightly rubbish one that you add milk and water to instead of the gloopy cheese ready to poor in, BUT its still yummy and its still sitting in my cupboard! :) I also found Cream of Wheat YUMMIE!!! I had some yesterday for breakfast and Ill be eating me some more as well! :) Also found some KoolAid, I only found the premixed with sugar one instead of the little packets thats alright I know where the packets are hopefully they dont charge an arm and a leg for them like the freaking mixed one was! Yes I drink the stuff and I know your able to dye yarn with it, you can also dye hair with it (just add some water and dip your hair in and it washes out) but I still drink it because its yummie! Anywyas, I was happy to find these things as the Ive not had them in the last 3.5 years, well minus the mac and cheese someone sent that over to me! :)
I also picked up some magazines, the newest Knit1 (that one from vouge) the TV issue, theres an alright looking hat and matching scarf, cabled of course in there that looks alright... Maybe if done in black I can pass it off to Mark (the hat) and he will wear it hmmm....... I also picked up the current Knit Today, Im still not entirely sure of it, though there were some decent intarsia/fairisle graphs in there that I am thinking of using to turn into wrist warmers in my ever growing Id like to knit pile. :) Also picked up Womans Weekly Knitting and Stitching Special, VERY happy with that, more I suppose for all the Alan Dart toy patterns, not that I play with toys, but the bears are ever so cute and the mice are ADORABLE! :) Theres also some nice cardigans in it as well. :)
Okay off to go make me some breakfast then knit on my sleeve.
(ps for easy reach I added the sp question link to the side, or look down for the post)

Sweaters Hats and Things

Thought I would post a quickie. :)
My sweater is coming along most wonderfully!! :) I got to the first decrease for the second sleeve, not exactly half way down, but I will be by the end of the day, actually I hope to be further along then half. I should have been further along then I am but I got to talking to my dad and sister on the phone last night and sort of forgot to knit, I know how dare I do that! But when you talk to my sister its easily done. I also talked to my neice who started kindergarden this year and is learning to read and really likes her teacher and I talked to my nephew who got mad at his mommy because he was telling me about the toys he was going to go get to play with and she told him they were magnets. As hes still finding his voice but talks VERY well I kind of find it slightly hard to understand EVERYTHING he says so I thought he was yelling at me! HAAHHA I was corrected when my sister got back on the phone. :)
This weekend Mark said he would allow me to knit him a hat!!! WOOO HOOO now I just have to figure out how to make one properly, as I never have, but I dont see it being hard. Im going to make myself one first work out any kinks make him wear mine and make sure he will be alright and actually wear it before I go and knit him one. IF he doesnt complain then hes getting on knit for him, if he complains, hes getting a store bought one! Im not going to force it my hk hat on him, but I will try and tell him how lovely it is. hehehe...
Well thats it for the moment, off to take a picture of my sleeve before I finish it and FORGET! :) And then going to knit some more. Im not sure when Ill get the pictures up, but I will be speaking to my sweetheart about allowing me to install my rubbish on his computer so that I can edit me photos to a decent size. :)

SP9 Questions and Answers

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Pretty much all. Im easy. :)
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I HATE funky furs. *thats not animal fiber but I hate them*

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? The bags they come in and then in my knitting box, or big bag I have. I try not to loose them. hehe

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I have been knitting for about 2 years, and I taught myself from a book and online videos out of boredom and the want to make myself pretty things.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Depends I suppose. I am learning every day! :) But intermediate to advanced on most things. :)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No I dont. But there are two books I know I will eventually buy myself, Scarf Style and The knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Mulitple Sizes and Gauges

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Vanilla. Cinnamon/Spice

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Its my downfall. :)
Favorite candy? Orange chocolate things, and peanut butter chocolate things.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I want to learn to properly use a sewing machine. But just knitting and some crochet at the moment.
Do you spin? No but I would LOVE to learn. :)

8. What kind of music do you like? Country, rock, soul, r&b, hip hop, pop, easy listening, pretty much all types.
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes it does.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Pinks, purples, blues, naturals.
Any colors you just can't stand? Neon colours!

10. What is your family situation? Live with my bf. No kids.
Do you have any pets? No pets. :(

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Everything but ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Sweaters

13. What are you knitting right now? Top down v-neck raglan in grey Alpaca. Nearly finished and going to attempt a pair of socks on two circs working both at the same time toe up as well. :S Fingers crossed they turn out!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I would love something someone took time to make me. :)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Lately Circular needles. I tend to get plastic or aluminum purely because of the cost (ie they are cheaper)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No but my table end or knees come in great for that! :) HAHA

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I gave up and tossed out some norwegain socks I started back in the summer just went off of them. Other then that I ALWAYS finish what I make. I tend to only work on one project at a time as well.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, because its a time that is spent with family (they dont celebrate thanksgivinging in the UK that used to be my second fav for the same reason)

19. Is there anything that you collect? Does yarn/wool count? :) Books. I love reading a good book.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? See answer 4. There are a couple of cook books that I will be asking for at xmas time. :) I cant think of any that I want and havent gotten myself yet. *I know, not a big help*
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Vouge knitting, Simply knitting *UK*, and I tend to buy the current issues of Interweave Knits as well. :)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I cant think of any. :)

22. Are you a sock knitter? Ive knit a couple pairs before but about to attempt my first two up two at a time on circs method. :) Hopefully that will fully convert me!
What are your foot measurements? 9in long. 9.5in round middle of foot.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) December 23

If theres anything else you would like to know, please leave me a message and let me know, I will be glad to answer!! :)